SketchUp can render up to 7x faster with V-Ray Next

Chaos Group released V-Ray Next for SketchUp, boosting the speed and simplicity of SketchUp’s premier renderer. Now, with a few clicks, anyone can create high-quality ray-traced visuals using one of the world’s most widely used design programs. Automatic scene analysis and adaptive lighting join dozens of new features, bringing more performance to the design process.

Backed by over four years of R&D, V-Ray Next rapidly accelerates the SketchUp workflow, building massive speed and intelligence gains under the hood, so designers can produce faster, cleaner renders with little to no extra effort. This latest version is also immediately compatible with the new SketchUp2019, as well as versions 2016-2018.

“We are extremely pleased to see that a flagship renderer is available immediately after the launch of SketchUp 2019. The latest release, coupled with V-Ray Next, is a highly compelling solution for designers pursuing striking photorealistic visuals,” comments Jack McCarthy, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Trimble.

Render Smarter

New V-Ray Scene Intelligence can now automatically analyze a 3D scene at the start of a render, optimizing some of the most common decisions an artist will make. For lighting, the new Adaptive Dome Light (ADL) offers more accurate, image-based environment lighting that’s up to 7x faster. The ADL is exceptionally fast when working with interiors, and removes the need to add Portal Lights at windows and openings.

Finding the perfect camera exposure or white balance is no longer an issue. Once a scene loads, Auto White Balance and Exposure return the right settings, making the entire process point-and-shoot simple. A new NVIDIA AI Denoiser has also been embedded, so users get automatic noise removal and clean updates as they work.

Render Faster

With a 30-50 percent speed increase across the board, and additional increases coming in from the ADL, updated materials and improved GPU rendering, V-Ray Next is now the fastest way to produce a photorealistic image from SketchUp. The GPU renderer is over 200 percent faster alone, accelerating nearly every V-Ray feature including fog and atmospheric effects.

Work Faster

V-Ray Next is tightly integrated into SketchUp to speed up workflows throughout the program.

A new Scene Interaction Tool now provides direct access to any level of the SketchUp hierarchy, so designers can interactively adjust materials and light properties whenever an object is selected. A new V-Ray Toolbar has also been included, providing new access to top tools and simplified UI controls that will make it easier to set up cameras, adjust render settings and manage scenes.

The new asset management system will help users find and track V-Ray assets, using a custom library that can be shared across SketchUp projects. Any setting change will also now result in a live preview, helping designers experiment with lights, materials and textures, all in one place.

Additional Features

New Lighting Analysis Tools - Now easier to visualize a scene’s real-world illumination values in lux or footcandles.

New Metalness Material Properties - A new addition to the standard V-Ray Material offers improved compatibility with Substance Designer and PBR materials.

Color Correction Curves - Fine-tune texture colors right in SketchUp without heading back to an image editor.

V-Ray Next for SketchUp is available now and is compatible with SketchUp 2016-2019. A full Workstation license is priced at $790, with upgrades available for $395. Annual licenses are available as well for $350 per year. For a free 30-day trial, click here.

About Chaos Group

Chaos Group is a worldwide leader in computer graphics technology, helping artists and designers create photorealistic imagery and animation for architecture, design, and visual effects. Chaos Group’s award-winning physically-based rendering and simulation software is used daily by top design studios, architectural firms, advertising agencies, and visual effects companies around the globe. Today, the company's research and development in ray-traced rendering, cloud computing and real-time ray tracing is shaping the future of creative storytelling and digital design. Founded in 1997, Chaos Group is privately owned with offices in Sofia, Los Angeles, Prague, Seoul, and Tokyo. For more information, visit: chaosgroup.com.